Long-term sensory deprivation prevents dendritic spine loss in primary somatosensory cortex

Yi Zuo, Guang Yang, Elaine Kwon and Wen-Biao Gan ()
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Yi Zuo: New York University School of Medicine
Guang Yang: New York University School of Medicine
Elaine Kwon: New York University School of Medicine
Wen-Biao Gan: New York University School of Medicine

Nature, 2005, vol. 436, issue 7048, 261-265

Abstract: The brain: use it and lose it In the cerebral cortex of humans and other mammals, rapid synapse formation during early postnatal life is followed by a substantial loss of synapses through adolescence and into adulthood. The mechanisms that underlie this phenomenon are unknown. It is generally believed that experience leads to an increase in the number of synapses and that's certainly true in early postnatal life but a study in young adolescent mice paints a very different picture. Long-term sensory deprivation increased dendritic spine numbers (hence synaptic links) by reducing the rate of spine elimination. At distinct stages of life it seems that the more experience one has, the more synapses will be lost in the brain. These results emphasize the importance of childhood experience in sculpting neuronal connectivity while the brain is up to the task.

Date: 2005
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DOI: 10.1038/nature03715

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